Here we are again, face-to-face – or should I say, heart-to-heart – with another Valentine’s Day. Every year, I have a tendency to see both sides of this lover’s coin.

On one side, there are happy people who have found their hearts desire and look forward to spending special time together to celebrate their mutual love, respect and gratitude for one another.

On the other side, there are those who see this day as a painful reminder of love lost, estranged or not yet attained. Valentine’s Day can also be difficult for those who are separated from their loved ones due to military service or work-related travel and, as a result, find themselves alone on this day. For these people, tomorrow can’t come fast enough.

Today, however, I want to focus my attention on those fortunate to be spending quality time with that special someone in their life. For you, I offer a suggestion for showing the love of your life how you truly feel about them. With the letters L.O.V.E as my guide, here are four simple ways of saying “I love you” this Valentine’s Day. Even better: They don’t cost a thing!

L: Leave A NoteThere are few things more powerful or touching than discovering a hand-written love note when you least expect it. As I’ve shared with you before, I often put a note inside my wife’s door to her gas tank so that when she goes to fill up her car, there it is! An “I love you!” written in my own hand is always appreciated. Plus, I think it helps her deal with the high cost of gas!

O: Outdo Yourself
Outdo means to put forth a supreme effort and do something better than you’ve ever done before. With that in mind, choose an area of your relationship that you can improve upon and then do the following: Make a solemn verbal pledge to your partner, letting them know you’re going to endeavor to outdo your past efforts to improve in this area.

V: Verbalize Your Feelings
Nothing is more powerful and welcome than hearing your loved one tell you how deeply they feel about you. For some, this is a task that’s done often and with ease. For others, however, communicating their feelings seems impossible. If you show your love but never say it, make Valentine’s Day special this year. Take your lover’s hands in yours, look straight into their eyes and speak the words that will make their heart dance: “I love you.”

E: Enjoy the MomentThere are few things in this life more enjoyable than time spent with the one you love. Clear your mind, be present and truly enjoy your togetherness, even if it’s only for a limited time. Minimize or eliminate typical daily distractions by turning off all electronics and focus your attention on each other.

These four simple ideas can be powerful, so I hope you find them interesting and doable. Even if you don’t take my suggestions, go out of your way to show your special someone how much they’re loved, cherished and appreciated on this annual day dedicated to L.O.V.E.